The Marvel Cinematic Universe produced some great moments in 2022. Here are the ten best of the year.
Regardless of how you feel about Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios had another successful year. Financially their movies grossed over $1 billion combined and over $100 million individually.
Their viewer ratings on Disney Plus were phenomenal as well. People may have hated She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, but it did well weekly. According to The Direct, it ranked in the top ten behind great shows like Only Murders in the Building, The Sandman, and Locke and Key. Overall, this was another successful year for Marvel Studios.
This year, Marvel produced nine projects. They are Thor: Love and Thunder, I am Groot, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Werewolf by Night, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Each of them had unforgettable moments. Some more than others. Coming up are the top ten MCU moments of 2022. Let’s start with the MCU’s most creative showdown.
***WARNING! SPOILERS FOR MULTIPLE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE PROJECTS AHEAD!!!***
10. Doctor Strange vs Sinister Strange
Marvel project: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
One of the things that people love about Doctor Strange in both Marvel Comics and the MCU is his creativity. He always finds ingenious ways to defeat his opponents. In the MCU, he’s no longer the Sorcerer Supreme. This leaves him without certain artifacts that help him defend himself in the realms – all of which Sinister Strange had access to on top of the Darkhold. And this is why MCU Strange defeating his counterpart was so impressive.
The two sorcerers put on a show that was unmatched in any Marvel or DC Comics project of 2022. Sure, other fights may have been more brutal, but none of them were as good as this. Not only was this a genius way to fight someone, but it was also beautiful. The bright colors in the dark realm really made the scene pop. Then there was the music that went along with each note. It was a perfect addition to the scene.
Normally, a fight wouldn’t land in a top ten article. Especially when this year had moments that affect the entire MCU. However, this fight was too good not to include. Whoever writes and directs the third Doctor Strange will have their work cut out for them. Thankfully, there’s no limit to what Doctor Strange can do.
9. Jake Lockley
Marvel project: Moon Knight
Throughout Moon Knight, Marvel Comics fans were waiting for the protagonist’s third personality to make his appearance. Marc Spector and Stephen Grant were there, but where was Jake Lockley?
There were subtle hints that he was around. For instance, when Stephen would regain control, he’d sometimes ask what Marc did. This would lead to Marc saying it wasn’t him. Even if you didn’t know there was a third personality, you had to wonder what was going on. Then, in the season finale of Moon Knight, Jake Lockley revealed himself.
Certain expectations can hurt a reveal. Especially when you know it’s coming. In this case, Jake Lockley’s was perfect. It wasn’t just him making his appearance and shooting Arthur Harrow, finding out that Khonshu knew all about it added to the Egyptian God’s evil nature and slyness helped the scene.
Khonshu kept the personality secret from Marc and Stephen and only pulled him out when absolutely necessary. Would it have been nice to see Jake in action? Of course. Nevertheless, this will build anticipation for a possible season 2 if or when it happens. Especially with the questions that it brought up.
Will Jake get his own suit? Is he okay with his current situation? How does he feel about Khonshu? These are only a few of the queries that will keep people interested in Moon Knight.
8. New Black Panther
Marvel project: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could be the best Marvel Studios movie of the year. Every performer in the project did a fantastic job making the film emotional. Not just sad. The passing of Chadwick Boseman was unfortunate, thankfully it was handled with care. After the moment of sorrow, the movie was a rollercoaster of emotions. Among them was the feeling of happiness after seeing Shuri become the new Black Panther.
It was almost a given that Shuri was going to become the Black Panther. This is beyond her taking the mantle in the comics. It couldn’t be anyone else. Okoye may have been more qualified as a fighter, but not to be Queen of Wakanda. A responsibility that people forget comes with being the Black Panther. No one could have filled T’Challa’s shoes better. The best part is she’s not him.
Shuri combined being a great fighter with superior intelligence, skills as a planner, and a leader. It was also smart of her to not kill Namor. A diplomatic move that most likely saved Wakanda. Shuri will be a different Black Panther. Something that will help mold the MCU and make it bigger and better. Hopefully, she’ll end up being an Avenger. If we’re being honest, she should lead the team.
7. Daredevil Debuts
Marvel project: She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
Just like Shuri becoming the Black Panther, fans knew that Daredevil/Matt Murdock was going to appear in She-Hulk before it began. Besides, it makes sense that the lawyer and superhero would appear in a show starring a superpowered lawyer. On top of that, Charlie Cox was rumored to appear in She-Hulk before a trailer confirmed his appearance. Because fans knew he was coming, his appearance had to be worth the wait. Thankfully it was.
Matt Murdock first appeared defending Luke Jacobson in court against Jennifer Walters. A case he won. Later, he meets Jennifer in a bar and they flirt with each other. Something they’d do in the comics. Also like in the comics, Daredevil and She-Hulk fought before eventually teaming up. After their victory, they went back to Jennifer’s house and slept together. A moment that left fans divided.
Some people didn’t think that Matt and Jennifer getting intimate was a big deal. Especially since it’s very much like their characters in the comics. Plus, they’re two consenting adults who just fought a bunch of henchmen. Why wouldn’t they want to blow off some steam? Now, in terms of Matt’s “walk of shame”, there was nothing shameful about it. Well, walking barefoot on the sidewalk was a bit gross. Either way, this was one of the more memorable introductions a character has had.
6. Jennifer Walters vs K.E.V.I.N.
Marvel project: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
The ending of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was Marvel Studios’ most innovative finale. It didn’t give fans the typical big CGI fight that we’re so used to seeing. In fact, the creative team was aware that people wanted something new. They started off with a big fight and paused the show. Then, in a moment of greatness, She-Hulk literally broke the fourth wall.
Instead of winning the day with fists, Jennifer sat down with K.E.V.I.N. (a genius play on Kevin Feige). She speaks up about what she thought of the show and K.E.V.I.N. listened. Jennifer then said how she wanted the ending to go and got everything she wanted. Well, almost everything. She asked when the X-Men were coming. K.E.V.I.N. wouldn’t give viewers any news on that.
This gets ranked this high because of its creativity. Hopefully, Marvel Studios took note. A fight doesn’t need to conclude everything. Sometimes creativity is better. At the very least, it will be memorable. There are exceptions. Blade should end in a fight. On the flip side, maybe Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania doesn’t have to.
5. Mutants are here!
Marvel project: Ms. Marvel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Two questions have been asked dozens of times on multiple platforms. Viewers want to know where the X-Men are and when they’re making their debut.
It’s been five years since the 20th Century Fox and Disney deal was announced and three years since it was finalized. It may seem like a long time, but it’s not. A franchise as beloved as the X-Men has to be managed with care. As everyone expected, Marvel Studios is handling the mutant situation appropriately.
First, Bruno revealed that Kamala Khan has a mutation in her DNA in the season 1 finale. This explained why she didn’t lose her powers when she wasn’t wearing the bracelet. Then, Namor flat-out said he was a mutant in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is on top of the not-so-subtle mention of the X-Men by Jennifer Walters or the article that said, “mutant with claws gets in a bar fight” during She-Hulk.
Are the X-Men coming next year? Who knows. Any of the upcoming films could have one of our favorite mutants. It could be as small as a mention in passing or we could finally see one of Marvel’s Mightiest Mutants. This writer thinks it will be the latter. If he had to pick who fans would see in 2023, it’s Emma Frost, Kitty Pryde, or Rogue.
4. The Illuminati revealed
Marvel project: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Before Captain America: The Winter Soldier came out, anyone with Google knew who the Winter Soldier was. If you were a fan of Captain America comics, you didn’t need to look up who he was. That ended up being the MCU’s worst-kept secret. Marvel Studios didn’t make that mistake with something as important as the Illuminati.
They did a fantastic job keeping the members of the Illuminati a secret. If you looked up the team, you’d see the members. However, one of the members is a mutant (Charles Xavier), another was on a failed show (Black Bolt on Inhumans), the third is property of Universal (Namor), and no hint was given about when the Fantastic Four were coming (Reed Richards). Not knowing who was on the team made the reveal sweeter.
Seeing Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier brought back feelings of nostalgia. Anson Mount got to dawn the real Black Bolt costume. We witnessed a world where Maria Rambeau (played by Lashana Lynch) was Captain Marvel and not Carol Danvers in a cool change. Hayley Atwell was a live-action Captain Carter and even said, “I can do this all day.” And, maybe the best part, John Krasinski was Reed Richards, making all the fan casts come true.
3. Wanda Kills Everyone
Marvel project: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
There’s defeating your opponents and then there is dominating them. The latter is what Wanda Maximoff did in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Not only did she beat some of the best heroes in that reality, she made it look easy.
The most notable defeat came first. Reed Richards made the mistake of telling Wanda that Black Bolt’s powers came from his mouth. She took his mouth away and Black Bolt’s powers backfired. After that, “What mouth?” was trending on social media all weekend.
She then turned Reed Richards into spaghetti, cut Captain Carter in half with her own shield, and dropped a statue on Captain Marvel. Even Charles Xavier (the strongest telepath in Marvel Comics) couldn’t beat her with his powers. It was a perfect display of the Scarlet Witch’s power.
If this particular team never assembled again, it’s no big deal. This amazing moment can’t be taken away from fans. However, it’s likely we’ll see that universe’s Captain Marvel again and possibly Sue Storm. Both of these powerful women will want payback for what happened to their family and friends. If Wanda doesn’t return, then look for them to attack Stephen Strange.
2. Prince T’Challa
Marvel project: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The death of Chadwick Boseman left fans debating if and when T’Challa should be recast. Obviously, at some point, there would be a new T’Challa. Nevertheless, it felt wrong to replace him so soon. This is where the creative team behind Black Panther: Wakanda Forever comes in. They made sure that Chadwick’s memory remained untarnished and that his legacy would continue. They did it by introducing the son of Nakia and T’Challa. Welcome to the MCU, Toussaint Prince T’Challa.
Seeing T’Challa’s son is easily the happiest moment of the year. Despite all of the death in the movie, the film ended with life. T’Challa’s lineage would continue with the woman he loved. In terms of Toussaint being in the MCU, this was a brilliant decision.
This was how T’Challa will remain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without recasting the character. Now, one of two things can happen. Toussaint can grow into the character and eventually become the Black Panther naturally. Or, he could be lost in time. This would speed up his age. As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s a possibility. Especially with time travel being a thing in the MCU.
1. Ramonda shows the world
Marvel project: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Angela Bassett deserves every award possible for her performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Fortunately for Black Panther fans, Angela Bassett has already begun to get recognized for her role. Because she was so good, there were more than a few moments that could have made this list. Ultimately, her emotional scene in the throne room won out.
Ramonda lost her husband (T’Chaka) and son (T’Challa) in less than a decade. It may have felt like less time if she was in the blip. Regardless, throughout the movie, Ramonda remained strong. She shed tears, but she continued to be calm and cool. If she lost it, so would all of Wakanda.
After Okoye failed to keep Shuri safe, Ramonda broke down. In this scene, Angela Bassett put on an acting class unlike any other. She bawled, yelled, and broke down for the first time since her husband died. Only someone as masterful as her could have pulled this off.
Initially, Ramonda’s opening scene when she told the world not to test Wakanda was to be featured on this list. It was the epitome of power without lifting a finger. After looking back at the movie, however. there was no way Ramonda’s scene in the throne room couldn’t be number 1.
Nothing else this year will be more memorable than Angela Bassett showing the pain of a mother and wife losing the people most important to her. Other scenes in the MCU may have been “better” at the time, but this scene will live on. A decade from now, people will still get goosebumps when they watch this scene.
What do you think, readers? How would you rank the best moments of the year? Let us know in the comments below.